(The Center Square) – The Spokane City Council deferred an ordinance on Monday that would have required homeless service providers to uphold higher standards and communication with nearby neighborhoods.
The legislation came at the request of Councilmember Michael Cathcart. It would’ve put more guidelines around opening comprehensive support services, such as addiction and emergency housing services. However, it could also make opening these services much more difficult.
Much of the council noted the potential consequence as Councilmember Zack Zappone attempted to defer the measure back to the committee of origin. In doing so, he requested that the council push it until after the upcoming community roundtables regarding several deferred homelessness ordinances. However, that schedule is tentative and has no end in sight.
“It’s an understatement to say this is gross; we are facing an emergency in northeast Spokane,” Cathcart said. “The intent is to pursue an agenda here by delaying this until, you know, after the election, conveniently.”